One thing that outgoing West Bengal Governor M K Narayanan will miss the most is Kolkata’s Durga Puja celebrations. This is what he told the ministers during a tea party at Raj Bhavan after the swearing-in of three new ministers this morning.

While the oath-taking ceremony for the ministers was to be held in the second week of July, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is learnt to have advanced it so as to be present in Raj Bhavan along with her ministers and the administration top brass before Narayanan demits office on July 4.

“The Governor became emotional, he told us he would miss us. But he also said what he would miss the most is Kolkata’s Durga Puja, “ Minister for Irrigation Rajib Banerjee told The Indian Express.

When the media asked the Governor to describe his stay in Kolkata, he said it was “wonderful”. “Nothing more than wonderful. What can I say when I say wonderful!”

Despite niceties being exchanged, there was gloom in the air with Narayanan leaving six months earlier than his scheduled departure.

When Mamata, sitting next to the Governor, showed unwillingness to eat anything, the latter put a sandesh on her plate and insisted she should eat it. As Mamata accepted it smilingly, Narayanan helped himself to half a gulab jamun and a samosa.

The Governor was also seen speaking with minister Firhad Hakim and MP Derek Obrien for some time.

Sources said the Governor has gifted most of his books to the Raj Bhavan library.